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Ah yes, they are human!

Whilst Israel continues pursuing its policies in battening down Gaza and the West Bank - making life for the Palestinians extremely difficult - a call by former Israelis generals to remove West Bank roadblocks should be welcomed by all fair and decent-minded people.

syracuse.com reports:

"A group of retired Israeli generals has launched a campaign urging the army to remove West Bank roadblocks, warning on Wednesday that the travel restrictions sow Palestinian hatred of Israel and stymie the peace process.

The 12 top former commanders say the hundreds of checkpoints dotting the West Bank are excessive and other military means can be used to prevent suicide bombings in Israel.

The Palestinians have long demanded that Israel remove the roadblocks as a way to build faith in recently renewed peace talks."

Meanwhile, Israel snubs the supposed peace process initiated by the Americans, as the LA Times reports:

"Israel on Tuesday unveiled plans to build 1,120 apartments for Jews in East Jerusalem, a move Palestinians called a setback for U.S.-backed peace negotiations.

The announcement by Housing Minister Zeev Boim appeared to be aimed at placating the Shas religious party, which had vowed to quit the coalition government if it conceded anything to the Palestinians on Jerusalem.

Shas had criticized a government freeze on approval of new Jewish housing projects in territory claimed by the Palestinians. Jerusalem's city manager said Monday that the freeze was blocking needed construction in East Jerusalem, but Boim insisted that it applied only in the West Bank beyond the city limits.

"We are building all over Jerusalem within its municipal borders," he told Israel Radio. "What people call delays are in fact final stages of coordination with City Hall."

Boim said construction bids were being prepared for Jewish homes in two eastern neighborhoods, 750 in Pisgat Zeev and 370 in Har Homa."

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